October 10, 2014 · Exit133

State says no funds available for proposed Amtrak pedestrian bridge

Tacoma's new Amtrak station at Freighthouse Square will likely get a higher roofline, and larger ramps and doors on the north side. It's also possible that East 25th Street will be converted to a one-way street to accomodate added train station-related activity.

It is unlikely that the station will get a pedestrian bridge connecting it to the Sound Transit parking garage over South 25th Street, at least not paid for with WSDOT project funding. The State likes the idea, it just doesn't have funding for it.

It also unclear whether there is funding for a clock tower at the station, as suggested by the advisory committee - again, the state likes the idea, but isn't sure of funding. Well, maybe there's a solution for that - isn't there a spare clock tower hanging out up on Tacoma Avenue...?

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2 comments

talus October 11, 2014

It's hard to picture how a clock tower would fit well with the Freighthouse Square building as modified for the new train station. Hopefully there will be some public vetting of potential designs if this is a serious proposal. Maybe it will be easier to integrate than I'm imagining...
Artifacts October 14, 2014

Even thought the Northern Pacific railroad made Tacoma its western terminus in 1873, the first passenger station was an unremarkable wood frame barn. The Portland based president of the railroad at the time Henry Villard wanted valuable freight and people to stop where his investments and loyalty were based, in Oregon. He quipped that the Tacoma station was good enough for the immigrant trains that ran to the end of line. Not surprisingly, in Tacoma the NP station was referred to for 30 years with a slightly pejorative tone, as Villard Station. It was finally replaced in 1911 with Union Station. Good to remember past mistakes even if they were made a century ago. Better not to built a Villard Station again.